The Book of Scottish Song/Charming Nancy

Charming Nancy.

[Tune "Humours of Glen." "Charming Nancy," says the Rev. Mr. Skinner, in a letter to Burns, "is the real production of genius in a ploughman of twenty years of age at the time of its appearing, with no more education than what he picked up at an old farmer grandfather's fireside, though now by the strength of natural parts, he is clerk to a thriving bleachfield in the neighbourhood."]

Some sing of sweet Mally, some sing of fair Nelly,
And some call sweet Susie the cause of their pain,
Some love to be jolly, some love melancholy,
And some love to sing of the Humours of Glen.
But my only fancy is my pretty Nancy,
In venting iny passion I'll strive to be plain;
I'll ask no more treasure, I'll seek no more pleasure,
But thee, my dear Nancy, gin thou wert my ain.

Her beauty delights me, her kindness invites me,
Her pleasant behaviour is free from all stain,
Therefore, my sweet jewel, do not prove cruel;
Consent, my dear Nancy, and come, be my ain.
Her carriage is comely, her language is homely,
Her dress is quite decent when ta'en in the main;
She's blooming in feature, she's handsome in stature,
My charming dear Nancy, O wert thou my ain!

Like Phœbus adorning the fair ruddy morning,
Her bright eyes are sparkling, her brows are serene,
Her yellow locks shining, in beauty combining,
My charming sweet Nancy, wilt thou be my ain?
The whole of her face is, with maidenly graces
Array'd like the gowans that grow in yon glen;
She's well shap'd and slender, true-hearted and tender,
My charming sweet Nancy, O wert thou my ain!

I'll seek through the nation for some habitation,
To shelter my jewel from cold, snow, and rain,
With songs to my dearie, I'll keep her aye cheery,
My charming sweet Nancy, gin thou wert my ain.
I'll work at my calling to furnish thy dwelling,
With ev'ry thing needful thy life to sustain;
Thou shalt not sit single, but by a clear ingle,
I'll marrow thee, Nancy, when thou art my ain.

I'll make true affection the constant direction
Of loving my Nancy, while life doth remain:
Though youth will be wasting, true love shall be lasting,
My charming sweet Nancy, gin thou wert my ain.
But what if my Nancy should alter her fancy,
To favour another be forward and fain,
I will not compel her, but plainly I'll tell her,
Begone thou false Nancy, thou'se ne'er be my ain.

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